A Flicker of Light In The Darkness

Chapter 12

Time For A Home

"This house is too small!" Matt pushed the chair aside so he could get through the tiny bedroom. His huge frame seemed to dwarf the little room.

Calleigh's gaze held no sympathy for him. From her spot at the kitchen table, she could clearly see into the bedroom and if anything, she found his predicament amusing. She popped the last bite of pie into her mouth, before responding. "We wouldn't be in this cracker box if it weren't for you!"

He finally escaped the little room. "Don't start that again, Calleigh."

By now, Calleigh had left the kitchen and was standing face-to-face with Matt in the dining room. Despite his overshadowing stature, she stood with hands on her hips in defiance. "You are not being fair to any of us."

"Please, both of you," Kitty stepped in from the back porch, "do we have to go through this again?"

Kitty was yearning to go back to work, where all she had to deal with were drunken cowboys. With a weary glance, she looked from one face to the other.

"We wouldn't have to if -HE- wasn't so stubborn." The girl folded her arms across her chest in a rebellious gesture. "When you said you wanted to move away from the Long Branch, I thought we would move into something big—on the outskirts of town; with a little garden, maybe a dog and rooms big enough to turn around in."

Matt leaned against the doorway, his curls almost touching the head trimmer. "We moved here for safety reasons."

Kitty lowered her head; she really wished he hadn't said that. Why did he have to say 'safety'? That word alone was enough to start a battle. Much to Kitty's surprise, the tirade didn't begin.

They had chosen the tiny house because it was in town; but out of the way, where Matt's' comings and goings wouldn't be so obvious.

Apparently, after the fiasco in town with Mavis Penshaw, his 'comings and goings' were well known—by everyone.

Calleigh was becoming more and more angry that Matt would not come out into the open. She'd understood his reasons in the beginning, but now...? He was protecting a lie that no one believed.

Calleigh drew in a deep breath and lowered her arms to her side. "I love you, Pa."

The declaration was soft-spoken, and completely unexpected. It was just the thing to unnerve Matt and leave him confused and speechless. He looked to Kitty for help, but she was as lost as he was.

"I love you too, Sweet Pea," he replied simply.

"I don't want to fight with you about this for the hundredth time. Maybe someday, you'll see what's in front of you. You keep promising her a future. Matt, the future starts now, today; not ten years from today, when you can lay that badge down.

"Kitty is going to be twenty-nine years old this year. When is it you plan on starting this family? I know you worry about us, but if you're going to keep life on hold, you might as well be dead. You two have something so special. Don't let it wither and die. You've been together over ten years and the passion is still there," her voice dropped to a murmur, "believe me, in this little house, I know."

"You've made your point," Kitty admonished and shared a look with Matt.

"I mean, the walls are paper thin here."

"We GOT the message." Kitty scolded again. Calleigh had grown to an age where she lived to tease and was very creative with it.

"Sorry." Her apology wasn't exactly heartfelt and she was confronted with two doubtful faces. "Really, I am sorry. All I'm saying is, everybody knows about you. About us. Let's move into a real house - ALL - of us and get on with life."

"A real house." Kitty repeated slowly, "You mean a real house...like the Spencer house?"

Calleigh instantly jumped on the opening, "It would be perfect for us! Kitty, you were meant to live in a grand house like that."

"I'm not going to let you buy me a house! I provide for you, remember?"

"And you always have. Why can't I do this for you? For us?"

"The money is yours, Calleigh. It's for your family, when you get married."

"What about my family now? What about you guys?"

Kitty turned to Matt for support. Unfortunately, his attempt to divert the disagreement did little to help the situation. "You know, what we need is food. Let's go to Delmonico's. I'll buy us all dinner."

Two redheads and four blue eyes turned on him in unison. "Really? You think dinner is what we need right now!? Do you ever think of anything but your stomach?"

Matt tried to slink back into the background, realizing that nothing he could say would help the situation. He should know by now that when these two were at odds, it was no place he wanted to be.

Calleigh had been trying to talk them into buying the Spencer house with part of her inheritance. It was the biggest, most expensive house in town. Matt agreed with Kitty—it didn't seem right for the girl to buy them a place to live.

The thing was, he was sure the girl's reason was selfless. She hadn't ever really been a materialistic girl. It was Kitty that bought all the fancy dresses for her. Calleigh was as comfortable in calico, as she was in silk. As far as Matt knew, the girl had yet to touch a dime of the inheritance. She wanted the house for Kitty.

From time to time, she would challenge Matt and they would square off with each other; but never with Kitty. The little girl, that was placed up on the bar so many years ago, would never forget the pretty lady that took her in.

Calleigh walked over to Kitty; she reached down, taking her hands. "Please, think about it. The money doesn't mean anything to me...but you do."

That was probably her undoing. Kitty pulled the girl into her arms and hugged her tight, "I'll think about it," she whispered.

Matt watched the two women in his life, and he knew he was luckier than he ever deserved to be. He watched Kitty let go of the girl, who headed back into the kitchen. "We're out of pie, you know," she called back over her shoulder. "Want me to pick one up from Delmonico's when I go to meet Poppy?"

"Why don't you just eat it there," Matt called back, "It's not like we get any of it anyway." He never figured out how Calleigh could eat fifty pounds of food and never weigh more than a hundred pounds. Of course, he didn't understand how someone who barely stretched a couple of inches past the five foot mark, could be so intimidating either. He watched the girl snatch up her bag and head out the door. The whirlwind was gone and the room fell silent. He went to his lady, taking her in his arms.

"Have I told you today how much I love you?"

Kitty leaned back in his arms. "I always like hearing it again." She had noticed the difference in Matt since they decided to live openly with Calleigh. The girl pushed him, making him take notice of what he had—and to be grateful for it.

As usual, Matt couldn't hold Kitty that close without his body reacting. His mouth greedily claimed hers. When they finally came up for air, he was startled to see Calleigh standing behind them.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting?" Calleigh walked into her bedroom, "I forgot the anatomy book Doc loaned me." She reappeared in seconds. "Okay, I'm off; and just in case anyone cares, I'll be late." Just before she reached the door, she turned back around, her face suddenly very serious, "You know, the Spencer house had five bedrooms. You guys better get going on those babies."

"Out!" Kitty yelled, "Get out!" She fell back against Matt's chest. "She is definitely your daughter."

Matt's arms tightened around Kitty, "Maybe so, but she inherited your mouth."

"How about it, want to go to Delmonico's for some dinner; or do you want to start to work on filling those bedrooms?"

Kitty looked up into the face that she loved. She laughed softly, "Why can't we do both?"

"Kitty Russell, you are a woman after my own heart." Matt leaned down, hungry for her lips and they both knew Delmonico's was going to have to wait.

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Matt looked down at the sleeping face in his arms. Sometimes, his breath would actually catch in his throat when he watched her, even after all these years. He'd fallen in love with a stunning young girl, who he watched grow into a remarkably beautiful woman.

Calleigh's words echoed in his mind. He had to admit, she was right. On more than one occasion, Kitty's life had been in danger for being The Marshal's Woman.

Then there was that baby comment Calleigh had thrown at him. Kitty had stuck by him for more than ten years. What had he said—she wouldn't abandon anyone that she loved and…Kitty loved him, with all her heart.

He knew she wanted a child, but she rarely brought it up anymore. When did he plan on having children? Was she really going to be twenty-nine? With that thought, came another revelation: Was he really going to be thirty-five? How many more years was he going to rob from her? He never thought he would live this long anyway. He brushed a loose curl from her temple. Her skin was still flushed from their lovemaking and the memory caused his body to stir.

Kitty moaned softly as his body hardened against her. Still in the throes of sleep, she stretched, arching her body upward. One long, slender leg slid between his, as though she were inviting him in. His hand slid down between her legs, finding the center, already wet and aching for his touch. He watched her face, as pleasure coursed through her body. Her tongue licked across her upper lip and she seductively bit the fleshy part of her bottom lip. His hand began to move faster, his fingers reaching farther-when her eyes flew open and she was lost in an explosion of ecstasy.

"I need you," Her voice was deep, raw. Matt rolled over quickly, filling her up. He wanted to take his time, but watching her had left him too close. She released a tiny whimpering sound and he knew he couldn't hold on.

For the second time that night, they lay exhausted in each other's arms. He still had enough energy to place a lingering kiss to her swollen lips. Kitty nestled into his embrace again, even more satisfied than before.

"Kitty."

"Hmmm..."

"Marry me."

She lay very still, wondering if her mind was still clouded with their lovemaking. What did he say? She raised up slowly, balancing herself on one elbow. As he looked into her face, all he could see was bewilderment. "What?"

He rolled onto his side, stroking her cheek with his massive hand. "Marry me, Kitty. I love you more than you can ever know. It's time we had a life...a family." His eyes fell downcast and his voice was filled with regret. "Let's not waste more time because of my stubbornness. I promise to make you the best husband I can be. You deserve more but-"

Kitty placed her fingers on his lips to silence him. "Are you trying to talk me out of it?"

Matt took her hand from his lips and kissed it. "Just trying to right a wrong I did ten years ago. Can you give me an answer, I'm dying here?"

She pulled him down until their lips met. In all his years with her, he had never experienced a kiss as tender as the one she gave him tonight. Kitty released him softly, letting her lips brush lightly across his. "Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife."

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Calleigh virtually danced through the second floor of the huge Victorian house. She moved from room to room, announcing each discovery at the top of her lungs.

"Oh, my gosh, Kitty, wait until you see the private water closet in the master bedroom!" There was a moment of silence, followed by more excitable yelling. "There are four more bedrooms up here and they are huge!" Another moment of silence and then another squeal of excitement, "There's another water closet!"

Matt walked across the giant foyer, stopping at the base of the grand open staircase. He stepped up behind Kitty and drew her into his arms. "Think she's excited?" Kitty began to laugh, as she leaned back against his hard chest. "But the question is—are you excited?"

"It's a beautiful house, Matt." Kitty stepped out of his embrace and wandered into the next room. "I just feel... wrong using her money."

"You promised her."

"He's right for a change," Calleigh had managed to slip down the back staircase and sneak up behind them. To be more accurate, you both promised."

The Dillon-Russell wedding had been a major source of discord between Calleigh and Kitty. It was rare that Calleigh would challenge Kitty, but she felt this worth the fight. Dealing with Calleigh was like trying to lasso a tornado.

Calleigh had booked a trip for her and Kitty to go to New Orleans, to buy a wedding dress. She was sending telegrams all over the country-for special caterers and musicians—and even a woman, who all she did was plan weddings.

Kitty was running, one step behind Calleigh, at every turn—cancelling whatever new idea she had. Matt and Kitty had actually agreed on one thing: Neither wanted a big wedding. Matt, because he didn't want to draw any more attention to his family than was necessary. Kitty actually agreed with his reasoning. She, too, was afraid that splashing their names in all of the society columns, as Calleigh had planned, would bring on retaliation by Matt's enemies. They both felt that something small, with just a few friends, would be more suitable. She wanted to be Matt's wife and that was really all that mattered to her.

Calleigh saw it differently. She wanted Kitty to have a wedding fit for a Queen. After weeks of arguing and cancelling one event after another, the two women finally came to solution; one that Kitty didn't like, but Matt pointed out, was probably the only resolution that Calleigh would accept.

The young girl agreed to a small, tasteful wedding IF she were allowed to give them the Spencer house as a wedding present. The house came with twelve thousand acres and Calleigh decided to buy another ten thousand adjoining acres—just in case she wanted to settle close by and build a house sometime in the future.

Matt and Kitty exchanged a guilty look. Calleigh stood with her hands on her hips, ready to challenge their objections. "You said, if I would agree to a small, private wedding for you, you would accept the house."

"That's really unfair." Kitty knew she would lose, but still felt obligated to try. "You know why we wanted it that way. You still made it a beautiful ceremony and I am Mrs. Matthew Dillon. That's all that matters. This house is—honey, it's too much. Please, think about it."

Calleigh actually looked as though she were considering Kitty's argument. She even assumed a pensive expression. "Okay," her brows wrinkled, as though she were pondering her decision. "I'll think about it." She nodded thoughtfully for only a second, before her eyes took on a sparkle and a grin spread across her face. "All right, I thought about it. So, do you love it, or what?"

Kitty looked to Matt, who just offered her a helpless shrug. "Yes," Kitty finally confessed."I love it."

"Let's get back to town; Mr. Fuller has the papers waiting. Plus, I'm starved! How about lunch at Delmonico's?"

As usual, Calleigh was already out the door, getting the buggy ready, before anyone could respond.

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Matt was oblivious to the conversation on the ride back to town. He heard words like: fabric, drapes, duvet; none of which meant much of anything. After a few miles, he stopped listening, but kept looking at his family and constantly asking himself why he had wasted those years.

He and Kitty had discussed his job and both agreed, he would remain a U.S. Marshal. Her heart was not going to be any less broken if she was left a widow, or a really long time girlfriend. The thought of leaving her alone still scared him, but he felt it gave him another edge to be the best.

Kitty also opted to keep her business. She didn't work as much as she had before and instead, depended more than ever on Sam. She did a lot of the books and paperwork at home now, but maintained her position as a businesswoman.

Matt made the Long Branch his last stop, as usual; except now he took his wife home at the end of the night. If children came along, they would have to reevaluate the situation, but whatever happened from here on out, they would decide together.

TBC